Alaskan Hunting Pants/Shirts/Boots for Goats/Grizz

[Matt in AK]

Ok -- so my mom's not here to dress me anymore.  I intend to hunt mountain goat, moose, and grizzly this Fall...along with anything else I can.   What clothes are recommended...especially for the goats?

I typically wear Matterhorn military boots (great support, 400 gr Thinsulate, but bulky and heavy -- hip waders for moose), blue jeans (not smart but I'm usually close to truck/camp...but won't be for goats/grizz), and a Marmot windproof fleece jacket (not waterproof but wrings out and weighs next to nothing -- I carry along a Helly Hansen jacket in my pack).

Whaddya think?  Father's Day is right around the corner and I've been a good daddy this year.

[Paul H]

I'm very fond of polypro long johns, and a layer of fleece over that when called for, then a windproof/waterproof layer on top.  When wearing hippers, I wear a pair of cargo shorts over my polypro or fleece.  

I have never had good luck with Goretex or any similar clothing, they always end up getting wet with me.  If it's really raining, you need to figure you will get wet, either from the rain or presperation, so the key is staying warm.  I use a milsurp poncho for my rain layer, it makes a nice groundcloth or makeshift shelter as well.

I carry a spair set of polypro long johns and socks in a gallon ziplock bag to have a dry pair to change into should I get truly drenched.

Don't forget a pair of shoes or flipflops for around camp use.

[Old Moss]

Matt, don't forget about good old wool.  It's very warm even when wet, and lasts for ever.  A bit heavy and a bit expensive, but well worth it.  When things get wet / snowy / cold / windy I was glad I had at least something made of wool.  But like I said it's a bit heavy and when your packing way back in it isn't as easy to pack as some of the synthetics.  

     I have a question to.  What is best for waders?
            1.  Hip boots?
            2.  Chest waders?
            3.  stocking waders or with boots
            4.  Ankle fit only come in hip waders or .trapper boots     Any recommendations on Brands?   Thanks

[Paul H]

For hunting I like the Ak std, Lacrosse ankle fit hip waders.  For fishing I like neoprene stocking chest waders and boots.  I suppose for the occasional stream crossing, carrying the chest waders and a std pair of boots would be a lighter/better option.  

I wouldn't mind something lighter then ankle fit hippers, but they are tough, and comfortable to walk in.  Just make sure you pull them off a few times a day to let your feet breathe.  Don't even think about wearing them w/o socks, once your foot works up a little sweat, you'll swear that you'll never be able to remove the boot  :eek:

[dabigmoose]

Ok -- so my mom's not here to dress me anymore.  I intend to hunt mountain goat, moose, and grizzly this Fall...along with anything else I can.   What clothes are recommended...especially for the goats?

I typically wear Matterhorn military boots (great support, 400 gr Thinsulate, but bulky and heavy -- hip waders for moose), blue jeans (not smart but I'm usually close to truck/camp...but won't be for goats/grizz), and a Marmot windproof fleece jacket (not waterproof but wrings out and weighs next to nothing -- I carry along a Helly Hansen jacket in my pack).

Whaddya think?  Father's Day is right around the corner and I've been a good daddy this year.

Matt here is a site by Tony Russ he has written some outstanding books on Alaska hunting and gear also he has taken world record class dall sheep with a bow quite a few here ya go Tony Russ  - " Guiding You to Success in the Alaskan Outdoors"
tony@TonyRuss.com, http://www.TonyRuss.com, fax 907-373-6474

And thats a nice bear
dabigmoose

[Daveinthebush]

I think quality foot wear is a must.  Good ankle support, good gripping soles.  Not all soles are created equal.  My fall deer boots were my breakup boots.  Worked well but when I stepped on the wet Devils Club leaves they were like used toilet paper, very slick!  You just don't know about your footing up here, it is a chancy issue and usually wet.  So water proof is also a must if you have to cross a stream.(Matt)

Always carry poor mans waders. Two heavy duty garbage bags with a supply of rubber bands.  Just slip them on over your boots, secure, and go a wading! Light weight, price is right and if you get the dirty, easy to clean.

My favorite jacket, is a hooded Cabelas with a liner.  Waterproof, quiet and as a snowmachine coat good to -30 without windchill.  Great garment.

[Dand]

For my May - mid Sept warmish weather out doors activities:
I agree with Paul - Poly Pro long under wear is the greatest.  I often wear a Capilene light T shirt - stinks but I never feel clammy. When colder I wear a long sleeve capilene shirt with the zipper neck.  Layers work great.  Fleece jacket over that, Cabela''s  Guide Gear Goretex parka and pants over that.  Was in serious rain last huntin season - the Cabela's Guide Gear raingear is the first goretex that has truly worked for me.  I usually carry Helley Hansen commercial fishing rain gear in the boat as back up but its so stiff, heavy and doesn't breath - get as wet from sweat as I do from rain- but it will turn the nasty brush.  I have some Patagonia goretex Storm [I think] pants and they were ok but in really hard rain they left me feeling damp - at over $300 they were a spendy experiment - I'm much happier with the Cabela's which ain't cheap either but I stay dry.

Foot gear: I use Servus Xtratuff 16" rubber boots for 99% of my warm weather hunting - excellent traction in most cases and water proof.  They get nasty hot though.  I usually have 2 pr wool insoles to dry and switch.  For hip boots I prefer LaCrosse hip boots, standard fit.

For warm weather light duty wading I LOVE my Simms goretex waders with LL Bean Aquatread shoes.  They are light, compact and really work - but I don't use 'em for busting heavy brush. On short trips & warm days I often just put them over my blue jeans. Colder duty or when I expect to be in the water all day I wear poly pro long johns and/or fleece pants underneath - come out dry as a bone at the end of the day.  For serious  cold weather hard duty wading I like my Streamline 5mm neoprenes with heavy fleece pants and jacket underneath.
 
Sox - cotton liner with wool or poly pro oversock. In cloder times its poly or wool liner with a poly or wool over sock.  Almost always wear double socks of some sort year round except at camp.  

shirts and pants - usually a polyester work shirt, or Filson Featherweight - man the filson really stops the wind.  Pants - blue jeans or black workk jeans even tho they do get damp and clammy.  I think some of these new synthetic microfiber shirts and pants would be good but I'm too cheap and get by ok with the other stuff - as long as I have poly pro underneath.  Several co workers live in the REI light weight fleece pants all summer.